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Nairn and Hayes named Hermann Trophy semifinalists

Nairn and Hayes named Hermann Trophy semifinalists

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State women's soccer senior midfielder Christine Nairn (Arnold, Md.) and junior forward Maya Hayes (West Orange, N.J.) have been named to the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy Semifinalist List, which was announced on Wednesday (Nov. 28) afternoon.

Hayes was a finalist for the award last year. Penn State joins Stanford, North Carolina and Florida State as the only teams with two players on the list. The Hermann Trophy is akin to football's Heisman Trophy and is awarded by the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis. Christie Welsh is Penn State's only winner (2001).

Winner of 15-straight Big Ten titles, Penn State sports the nation's top-ranked scoring attack, averaging 2.92 goals per contest and Nairn has played a big part of it, as she is one of two players in the College Cup that has posted double-digit figures in goals and assists. Nairn was named Big Ten Midfielder of the year and earned All-Big Ten First Team honors for her fourth year.

Joining Nairn in the potent Nittany Lion attack is junior Maya Hayes, who has tallied 15 goal and six assists for the 2012 campaign after playing a pivotal role in helping the U.S. U-20 National Team win the World Cup back in September. Hayes was named Big Ten Forward of the Year for her second-straight season.

Top-seeded Penn State will play Florida State this Friday at 8:30 p.m. EST in San Diego, Calif. The Nittany Lions will be appearing in the Women's College Cup for the first time since 2005. Penn State also made appearances in 1999 and 2002. With a victory, the Lions would take on the winner of North Carolina and Stanford in the National Championship game, which is slated for Sunday, Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. EST/1 p.m. PST. That contest will be broadcasted live on ESPNU.